We need your help!  If you have come across a prairie-chicken in Ringgold, Decatur, Taylor, Union or Clarke counties, we'd very much like to know about it! We know of three general areas prairie-chickens currently use in Ringgold County but we're hoping there are more we don't know about.  Your help to get a better idea of the prairie-chicken distribution is much appreciated!

Greater Prairie-Chickens are brown with whitish barring. Both sexes have elongated neck feathers that normally lay down on either side of the back of the neck. The tail is short and rounded and solid brown in males; barred in females. They are roughly the shape and size of a small domestic chicken. In comparison female pheasants are more speckled with brown and white rather than barred and the tail is long and pointed. Hungarian partridge have a gray chest and are smaller than a prairie-chicken.

You can also call Stephanie at 515-230-6599 or email at vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov to report chicken sightings if you prefer.

Thank you!